Phoebe nodded, she was overwhelmed with guilt and frustration deep down inside her. She believed that she had shed off these aspects of her past, but they seem to follow her as if they wanted to ensure that she does not let go off the past completely. And as she thought of the things Marlin said, she knew that she must make them understand her and tell them all, once and for all, that she wants Christian and everything that they began between them.
Unyielding, Phoebe made up her mind to face Marlin the following day. She met him at a local café, where he had wanted to discuss with her. But this time there was no friendly welcome as before.“Marlin,” she began, her voice harsh, “I understand what you are up to.” But I have a life with Christian now and I will not allow anyone ruin it for me.”He frowned, but the self-assurance did not leave his face. I know that you still love me, Phoebe. I know you haven’t erased what we once had.”She shook her hShe did not even pause, and when he offered her his hand, their fingers touched, and they immediately locked their fingers. It was the most charged and yet the most serene time that I felt could be lived and nothing more. They felt as if they were surrounded by a veil, which separated them from the rest of the world, and left them alone with each other.They went on hand in hand, and two of them perfectly coupled as their feet marched them further into the dark. The sea murmured, the day brightened up and only then Phoebe had the feeling that she is really somewhere without any pretense.And the more they strolled along the shore the less words were necessary, the more the silence between them was sacred. They didn’t need words. It was a relief to move their hands and lips, to speak the halting words of a start, the weight of everything they had shared their pasts, their doubts, their hopes lightened in their long, comfortable strides.Finally, they came a
When Christian met Marlin, he become very defensive and wanted to protect her. Marlin’s return and aggression left Phoebe rather shaken, but even as she felt the twinge of guilt rising again. The girl’s past was not only complicated, but still charged with feelings that she was unable to deal with.But tonight, when Phoebe was alone and sober she decided on it conclusively. She would cut off her relationship with Marlin and Seth once and for all, and do whatever it takes to get her future with Christian.The next morning, at Chroma Creative’s modern office, Seth Rivera walked through the facility with the air of a man who is in charge. It was said that he had taken back the position of the CEO and there was electricity in the air in the building. What Seth had failed to know in the past was that failure was only an option and he was back at the top, ready to take his shot.On that day, Seth had to convene a meeting with all the employees, and his words bor
His goals had become his obsession, obliterating his mission statement, but he brushed it aside as soon as it crossed his mind. He would not allow any person, especially Aidan to hinder him.Elsewhere in town, Phoebe and Christian stayed home and just had dinner together. They have planned to go out of the city to relax themselves and free from the recent pressure. As they packed their belongings, Phoebe was ready for the burden of a decision to come to place on her. Though this trip was short, it served as an allegory for moving on to the next phase of building a new life, independent from former betrayals where she can trust Christian.They got to a cabin near a lake, in the middle of the woods and under the stars. For the first time in what seemed like a really long time, Phoebe was able to breathe easily. Christian embraced her while they admired the twinkle of the stars and she found solace that here in this place, they are now free to start living a life free
Day by day Phoebe and Christian found themselves living a normal life, while their love grew even more with the days they were spared from Marlin’s madness. But as they hoped to live a normal life again, Seth returned to their lives again as if he owned it. It began subtly. After several months of no contact with Seth, Christian got a call from him, which Seth said he just wanted to talk and move forward. But the feeling of responsibility realizing that Seth did stand up to Marlin one day at Chroma Creative, intense as it was made Christian agree to meet. They went to a chic bar downtown and after waiting for a few minutes, Seth changed the topic to something more intimate. “You know, Christian,” Seth began, his voice hard, his eyes never leaving Christian’s face “Phoebe… she was a different person to me.” Well, we suffered a lot, and, to be honest, I do not believe she is as punctual as she looks.” Christian’s face was impassive, but his forehead creased a little. “People cha
Seth tried not to let the doubt surface but he could not help it when he heard Aidan say that. He tossed it away, which he didn’t want anyone to see him struggling with. However, over the days he started seeing the effects of his choices on the organization. He was shunned, rumors followed him around campus, and the overall attitude of the employees was low. This was the first time that Seth started to wonder if his obsession with power was worth the price it was costing the people who once admired him. At the same time, the lovers came back from the trip refreshed and even more united than before. They were willing to start over again as a couple and left behind all the chaos that they have experienced. That was when Phoebe realized that she needed to go all the way and give her best shot to the dream she had for the future, be it in her life or at the workplace. When she came back to Chroma Creative, she was surprised at what she saw there. The place which she used to recogni
Phoebe was beginning to think she was disappearing. Each day the words that Christian said, his low, brooding anger chiseled on her heart. She could hardly see the man she had fallen in love with, the man who used to look at her with love and confidence now he looks at her with suspicion and aloofness. One evening, from Chroma Creative, she arrived home to meet Christian seated in the living room, with his back towards her, facing the floor. She paused, sensing the distance that has been between them slowly widening. “Christian?” She questioned softly, after a while. “Are we… are we okay?” He looked up, his face was pale, and he seemed as though he had slept for weeks. “I don’t know, Phoebe,” he said and his voice was different, icy, unfamiliar. “It’s like I am living with an unfamiliar person most days.” She blushed, and it was hard to maintain her calmness, but she didn’t want him to see her pain. “Christian, you are listening to Seth the man who only wants to be between us.
He looked her in the eye and his lips curled into a cynical grin. “Perhaps I have not learned how to see you any differently from what I used to see you.” And then after all that… after Seth… maybe it altered the way that I look at you.” Phoebe could feel the knot in her chest, growing tighter and tighter as a result of frustration and pain. She had wanted to be honest, to reveal all, but his scepticism remained and their passion turned into a venomous toxin. She didn’t know how much longer she could continue to resist the barrier he had put up in himself. It was so low that it was barely audible, “If you can’t see me as I am, then maybe you’re just not seeing me at all.” They looked at each other over the table and the air was charged with electricity that seemed to crackle and split them apart. Phoebe experienced the strong impulse to touch him, to hold his hand, to say that she still loved him even if all the bad things that happened. But there was an unconcern in his eyes which
Christian’s eyes were cold as he leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, a wall between them she couldn’t breach. Phoebe was opposite him, and she felt uncomfortable under the man’s intense look. “Well, Phoebe,” he started, his words icy, “how in the hell am I supposed to trust a single word that comes out of your mouth?” You always give me the impression that there is more about you that I do not know when in fact there is more about you that is still a mystery to me. She shook her head and her voice was barely audible. I’ve told you everything, Christian.” I don’t know what more you want.” He laughed, and then walked away, a sneer of disgust on his lips. You always say that don’t you? ‘I’ve told you everything.’ But there is always something more; there is something I did not see, and Seth knew it from the beginning. “Seth has told lies,” she said calmly, but there was a desperation in her tone. ‘He wanted to drive us apart, Christian.’ That’s all he wanted.” “Did he lie to me,